smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

What a great service for parents, and non parents a like. It offers free samples (full sized) and coupons to purchase more products! I just got a full sized free sample of Children's Advil in the mail yesterday! It will certainly help in cold/flu season. 

Somedays

Some days it does not pay to be yourself and other days you get a bonus. I can not tell you what today will hold or tomorrow but you can recall what yesterday was and learn from it. Live life, love life, create life, and memories. Remember those who have gone before us, think of those that are ahead of us, but remember to look at those around us. Surround yourself with things that will allow you to grow, to learn, to laugh, and to love.

On a more personal note, my son Xavier is 4 months old (looking like a one year old), my daughter Kira is 18 months old (looking like a three year old) going on 30 as an independent woman, and my older son Demitri is now 9. Time flies when you are a mom, some days it is slow, others it is a blink of an eye, but all memories to say the least.

Kira is enrolled into gymnastics and climbing everything, and starting to talk and potty train. She is one inch short of three feet and 29 pounds.

Xavier started to eat rice cereal and he tends to enjoy sitting up. Actually he would prefer it over laying down. He is a needy boy and weighs a ton (okay 20 pounds) but still a lot for a baby.

Demitri is a gaining friends and is enjoying creating comics. He is an inch short of five feet and well he is big enough to be an adult even though he is only 9.

I only have three more classes left to graduate college, so go me. That is exciting news. I will most likely take a few months break and then go back to get my master's in special education. We shall see though. Probably not with Ashford though, because I think I am done with that insitution.

Steve is doing good. He has been looking for a new job just because he is very under paid, but he has a sense of loyalty to this company because he has been there for over 12 years. Which is understandable and I told him my concerns and I said it is ultimately up to him in what he wants to do, and above all I want him happy.

Roman is hoping to go back to Mesabi to finish school but paperwork is still up in the air, so we are unsure if he is going or not. If he does, he starts the 27 of this month, so hopefully everything gets squared away by then.

Well it is time for me to rest, because Xavier is tired and I will admit so am I. Mom's need more energy to care for their family, but even though some days I wonder what the hell I was thinking, I don't think I would change anything, well unless I can change if we won the lottery cause then I would do that, that we would win big, so we can all have what we want and what we need. :)

Hugs to all,

Cleo

It has been a while but...

Well hello everyone,

It has been a while since I last posted but I am thinking with my daughter turning one, and getting closer to the birth of my son, and going to college full time I am allowed a lapse. LOL. Sorry, I have not been blogging as much as I wanted. Heck my new years resolution was to write more (besides college papers that is) and I have been slacking.

So as I mentioned, some exciting news. Kira is now one year old, and trying to run the house! She is moving every where! Of course she has been walking since about 11 months but now, she is running everywhere! With the look of "Chase me Mommy" or who ever is watching her. She loves it and it is a favorite game for her. Especially grabbing the TV remote. Anything with buttons fascinates her.

We are also preparing for her little brother to enter the world. Two weeks away! Getting very excited (the whole family). When we say to Kira where is the baby, she tries to lift my shirt and points to my belly, so we think she understands. Of course, when I hold her she tends to get kicked or bumped because they both are trying to share the same space on my belly. :)

For all my friends and mom's out there there is a great company that is offering free trials and contests almost every week day (which is a random drawing) and you can win stuff for your baby, or toddlers. I won a set of feeding plates which comes in handy! Kira is starting to learn to feed herself (well should would be doing it already if I gave up control and know that a little mess will happen each time) LOL. Anyways today they are offering 5000 free trials of diaper rash cream! So sign up and give it a go!

Current Fan Giveaway Info:

Today is "Share a Smile Day"!! We are sharing smiles by making everyone a winner today!! The First 500 CURRENTS fans will receive a FREE 1oz tube of Dr. Talbot's Diaper Rash Ointment. Please click this link to claim your prize!!! www.surveymonkey.com/s/currentfanstalbots

New Fan Giveaway:

We are continuing to put smiles on our fans faces today!! The first 5,000 NEW FANS to like our page will receive a 1oz tube of Dr. Talbot's Diaper Rash Ointment. Please click this link to claim your prize!!! www.surveymonkey.com/s/usadrtalbots

Summer is almost over :(

The heat seems to be slinking back into the cracks in which it came, but that means sadly that winter is around the corner... but right now it is fall like weather! YAY FALL! Why can't fall stay around more? 70 degree weather during the day and 50's at night, it works for me!

Well Kira is growing like a weed, she is just about 20 pounds, and she is almost 8 months now. She is trying to crawl BUT I personally think she is going to skip crawling and go to walking. She pulls her self up and she tries to step around things. So only time will see. She is making great strides in her growth, and she is so inquisitive. We are excited to watch her grow. So, far no signs of Autism but I am still watching and praying that she does not have any issues, like her brother, or anything else. It makes me nervous about it and semi-scared but I know that even if she does show signs that we can handle it and we will ALWAYS love her.

The MN Renaissance season has started and we have gone one day each weekend (normally a Sunday) and it is going well, even though it doesn't seem like it used to be. But we will still go because we enjoy a few hours of it. Kira has dressed as a fairy, once and she looked adorable.

Roman is off to college and he is home sick. If he were more social I am sure living 4 hours away would be better for him, because he would start a new life of friends up there. From my understanding though he just 'hides' in his room when he is home and doesn't go out to explore. ROMAN GO BE SOCIAL!! YOU CAN DO IT! I am proud of him though and I wish him the best. I am sure he will open up more. Also, at least he will realize how much family is important and that once it is gone, you miss it.

Steve is trying to find a new job, he is looking to do contracting. He currently has a job mind you but he is not making as much money as he should be and that is frustrating for him. I know he is very smart and he can do it too, and I support his decision with what he wants. I figure we will make it one way or another.

I am doing good, finished my minor in Child Development with a 4.0 and now finishing up the major, granted I still have a little over a year left of school, I am getting closer. YAY

Well HUGS for now and take care in all that you do. I gotta go chase Kira and her scooting.

Cleo

Wowy-zowy

Well look at that I am slacking again.. .eh... so it is the story of my life. LOL! Anywho... lets see what to update on? Um, Kira is almost three months old! Wow TIME DOES FLY! She went swimming for the first time last week. She did great. A natural! She even floated on her back, until a splash washed on her face and she got upset. Poor thing, she started crying bloody murder. Of course dad was holding her so he felt guilty. Poor dad.

Um, Demitri finished up basketball and he did awesome! He is starting to get the dribbling down and shooting baskets. We are so proud of him!

I am still in school or well I am back to school I should say. Currently in a early childhood language development class. Which is interesting to learn about the different milestones and things an infant, toddler, and child go through.

Well that is it for now I suppose. I don't have to much to write. Um, besides oh I am going to a couponing class this Saturday! I am kinda excited to learn about how to save money! YAY for saving money, maybe I can use the money that I save to go on a vacation somewhere sunny and slightly warm with a beach and an ocean. Speaking of vacation, Wanda, is in New Zealand at the moment! Man I would've like to been there with her, but... alas I am a mommy with responsibility!

All right well I gotta go, Kira is crying and wants mommy!

HUGS

Cleo

Kira Maureen is here!

Well okay she has been here for a while now, but life has been well busy... and it is just starting to plateau so we shall see where life goes from this point on. As the title states, Kira Maureen is now in our lives and she is a little over 6 weeks old. She was born on, January 14, 2011 at 10:11am. She weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and 20 1/4inches long. We were in the hospital for three days and released on the 17th. During our time, Kira was loosing a little weight and they informed us that it was normal and nothing to worry about. Just make sure we go to the doctors for her to get a weigh-in and make sure everything was okay. Well that evening when we went home things, seemed 'normal' or as normal as it could be with a new infant, well needless to say she did not wake up through the night, until I woke up at 6:30am the next morning. She hadn't eaten for over 6 hours, and that is not normal. Normally infants eat every 2-3 hours. So, I tried to awake her and she would not open her eyes or cry. She was breathing and she moved but she wouldn't open her eyes or cry when handled. We ended up calling 911 and when the paramedics came they took her vitals (which were fine) but they could not get her to wake up either, so we ended up taking her into the Fairview Ridges Emergency Room. To make a long story short, there was IV's started (traumatic event for mom), a spinal tap to test the fluid, and her bladder catheterized. Her dad was my super hero! I could not stand to watch a lot of the torture they were administering to Kira and he stayed right by her side. We ended up staying in the hospital for three more days so they could properly monitor her and test the fluids in which they took on the first day. When they released us, Kira was doing better, she was eating again (by dad finger feeding her because she became a lazy sucker) and they were not sure what caused her to go back into the hospital but it might have been a combination of a few things: being new, being dehydrated, a virus, and possibly the jaundice.

Well, needless to say when she came home we had some more doctor appointments to make sure she was doing okay, and gaining weight. Now she is eating like a champ and growing like a weed! She is now 10 pounds 9 ounces (last weigh in about 2 weeks ago), and 22 1/2 inches long. She is doing well and growing up. She is becoming more alert and talkative and getting familiar with her surroundings.

We love Kira Maureen and her grandpa even made a great little poem for her one night he was watching her for us (so I could get some much needed rest).

Hi! Do you know me? I'm Kira Maureen.

I'm new on the block, the New Baby Queen.

When I want my subjects to dance,

I let a loud toot, then just fill my pants.

If I get hungry and want to dine,

I wiggle and fuss and then start to whine.

You know my dad, the Computer Brain,

it was so simple, he was easy to train.

My mom was once the New Baby Queen,

but now she is my favorite lunch machine.

I've got a Sis, and brothers two

they get to hold me, I love it too.

I've got two grammies, two grampies too,

I make their day when I smile and coo.

I see new faces and hear new voices..

Who get's to hold me? I've so many choices.

When I sleep, I smile and frown,

they're all wondering 'What's going down?'

Meeting you was such a treat.

Now I'll sleep. Ain't I sweet?

Isn't it precious? Just like Kira.

Well, she is crying so it is time for me to go change and feed her! Catch you all at some other time!

Take care and stay warm,

Cleo

Holy... where did the time go?!

Jeebus last I wrote was in September! What the heck have I been doing? Did I crawl under a rock or what? Oh, I know... doing school work (maintaining a high GPA), running a household of three boys (yes Steve is a boy) :P, a dog, and ooooo being pregnant well I guess that is where time is going, eh? Not to mention the fun and extended family issues that have arisen over the holidays and dealing with grand parents and trying to figure out a name for our daughter that will be here by Jan 14th unless she comes early (which btw I am all for the early... just saying) ;)~

Let's see where to catch up first? Hmm, well Demitri started second grade, I stepped down as Den mother for the Wolf Cubs for Scouts (because I knew I couldn't handle it with everything else), Roman is a senior this year, and Steve is excited, worried, and well being Steve. LOL. Men... is all I have to say about that ;). Actually I will give Steve some credit, he has been there for me this entire pregnancy, for the most part and a lot better than the first man in my life when I was pregnant the first time but we will chalk that experience of being young and immature. Steve is sometimes immature BUT he is responsible and I think Baby Maureen has him wrapped around her lil fingers and she isn't even out yet. Of course, she kicks me as I write this so I think she agrees. ;)

Let's see what has happened thus far to get everyone caught up on. Well, it is a new year. Happy 2011 peoples! Hopefully this will be a great year for everyone. Remember what 2010 held: the good times, the sad times, the crazy times, the chaotic times, and all the others. Once you have reflected on that, it is time to move on and work to making 2011 a one to remember! :D I know it is going to be interesting for us here. With the birth of Baby Maureen fast approaching, Roman graduating high school and most likely going to Mesaba Technical College (near Duluth I believe) to become a certified welder, and Steve and I looking for a new home. Life is full of many choices and opportunities that we are excited to see what it holds! We've already talked about our family vacation for the summer and Steve would like to go to the Redwood Forest and do some hiking and camping. I told him if we are planning on driving then he will need to take more than a week off, but if we fly we are not camping, well unless Cabin's count ;). He also mentioned to have my sister in WA and her family to join us, and hopefully that pans out because man I would love to see my extended family there. *nods*

Okay, we had our baby shower in November and it was a great time! We got a lot of wonderful items for our little girl, and I think everyone enjoyed creating babies out of playdoh. I know Steve and I giggled several times over the creativity and interesting babies. There was a sperm and a egg to a Cthulhu baby to cute little babies with toys! They were all wonderful and I thank everyone who had a chance to face the (rotten) weather that day to make it out to see us and celebrate in the festivities. We received several home made blankets, hats and toys. I love the homemade stuff, it is wonderful! We also got a lot of great clothes, diapers and wipes (which we all know we will need a stock pile in LOL). It was often said she is going to the be the best dressed baby in all of Apple Valley. Well we shall see. ;)~

Christmas came and went, and Demitri got a few gifts but I think he favorite gift was from Santa. Oh, speaking of Santa when we went and saw Santa (with Minh, Suzi and the boys), Demitri asked him for a few things. He asked for the Ninetendo DS game Despicable Me, a Lab Coat (to become a scientist) and $60.00. Santa was floored about the money and when he asked what it was for, he said he wanted to buy Emily a Go-Go Walking Puppy for Christmas. Emily is a girl in his class that he likes (my boy the Casanova). Santa was so moved that he said he would give Demitri one of his Santa dollars, which was a 1 million dollar bill that was good at the North Pole to give to her instead. Well needless to say he took it to school and I don't think it came back. I wonder if Emily ended up getting her G0-G0 Walking Puppy from Santa. I know Demitri thought about saving up for it and taking back his toys to get it for her. Yes, he has a big heart but I explained to him that if she really wanted it I am sure either her parents would get it for her or Santa would be bringing it. Hopefully she got it. :) So, anyways back to Demitri's favorite gift this year? I think it was his lab coat, with safety goggles, and gloves. He put them on right away and wants to constantly wear them. It was so awesome to see him open that gift that I felt like that was the best present for me to witness.

Oh, so it is new years and I should make a resolution, and well you know the standard one applies of loosing weight blah blah blah... and we know that most likely wont happen, and if it does holy *bleep* I finally did it... but since I would just be setting this year up for failure I've decided that a resolution that I will be keeping is doing personal writing. For those who know me, know that I inspire to be a published author one day, and damn it I will be... cause well I am that damn good. Well, with the help of my editor for all my grammar mistakes and what not (as you can tell in my blogs :P) but I've decided to at least write a min of one page a week, either a blog (we shall see) or a story... or something... but non-school related dang it... cause Lord knows you write a lot in an online college, but writing research papers is so not cool. I need to do something cool... so I had an AH HA moment and thought that is it... I will give myself a deadline. I will be staying accountable with my sister Daisy, and if it isn't a blog then she will read the stories. I am sure she is excited about it... cause hell I am excited about it! :D


Well I think I've probably rambled on longer than a page, but eh... casara sara... :P it is time for me to get back to school work and write the 3 page paper and finish the two chapters of reading to stay a head of the curve so when Baby Maureen is here I wont feel stressed about school. LMAO who am I kidding even if I get a head I will probably be stressed about school, it is a story of my life. :P BUT hey just think the next time I most likely write in my blog we will have Baby Maureen officially named. YAY! We have some names picked out already but we haven't officially decided on which one and every time I think we've found it, well I feel like we are settling on a name... so there you go. We are waiting until she is in our arms and hopefully her name will come to us when we look into her baby blues. :) Granted I am thinking her eyes will be Hazel but typically all babies are born with blue eyes...

Eh... I am rambling again! LOL... Take care everyone... Happy New Year! Make it one to remember and BLESSED BE!!

With love,

Me